Don’t ‘butcher’ Schopp. Yet.

I’m not one to call for anyone to get sacked but this man looks out of his depth. He doesn’t have the ability to changes things as things develop in front of him. Cooper tweaked it slightly and pulled our team apart by getting two wide men out and waiting to run behind. Williams was exposed and out of position for first two goals and is not fit enough. But he stayed on pitch when it appeared obvious he was struggling. There lacks tempo, speed and energy in the side, all 3 things that we had in abundance last year with the majority of players we have still!

 

I see what you’re trying to say - but sorry, that’s just not right.

Ismael wasnt a lucky manager. He got a side you’d argue no worse than the one we have now to mid table and still looking up, he then added Morris and Dike to the squad and tore up the league.

Yes he could make 5 subs, now you can’t. His style at West Brom is therefore broadly similar but isn’t as batshit crazy at closing down in the final third. He’s tweaked it, as he has different players and different rules to abide by. They have some better players than he had here, and sit unbeaten at the top of the league. He doesn’t really have better players than Bournemouth, you’d argue not better than Sheffield United. Or other sides. West Brom have a decent squad but it isn’t the best this division has seen. He’s getting 2.2 points per game, a positive goal difference of 1.2 per game and is unbeaten through ten fixtures. If he was still here we wouldn’t be sitting on eight points and one win, out of the relegation zone only due to a points deduction.

His replacement at Barnsley has shown no ability to change anything during or between games, he’s shown no tactical awareness or even a glimpse of what his setup is. Last night the world and his dog could see we were being gubbed in midfield, all apart from Schopp.

He’s not unlucky, he’s not good enough.

And moreover, why would we want an unlucky head coach? As the saying goes, you’d rather have a lucky manager than a good one.

I’d take one that is broadly competent right now…

He’s got to go.

 

Shopp has a significantly weaker squad to play with and that is certainly not his fault. Apart from flashes from Benson and Kitchin none of the other guys have contributed. Factor in the couple of injuries and the coach might on reflection have stayed in Austria. None of which necessarily means he's up to the job. The lack of any playing style I find the most worrying thing. In his shoes I'd realise the writings on the wall and do it my way, for good or ill. From what little we know he seems a likeable guy. Genuinely hope he turns it around. But my gut feeling is he will be back home soon. All part of the roller coaster being a Reds fan.

 

We are getting worse not better with each game. I don’t understand why we would wait any longer than necessary now to move him along.

 

Couldn't agree more. Everyone could see a Forrest goal coming, why not change to 4-5-1 and frustrate them

 

I seem to recall that being said when he went to WBA. Seems to be going ok for him so far.

You don't seriously think that we'd be flirting with the relegation zone if Val was still here, do you? Cos I don't.

 

Lucky, my arse..

 

Dike the bulldozer didnt arrive until Jan and we were battering teams long before then

 

I’m not sure he did that, he just played his way. What he did do though was get the players bought into his methods and incredibly well organised. Schopp appears to have done neither

 

VI wasn't lucky, (but neither was he a genius) he just kept it very simple which really suited our players.

• compressed the game into a small area where its easy to press as there are always 3 players within 15 yards of the ball & takes 2-3 seconds to get there.
• played 80% of the game in the opponents half
• a plan that is simple to understand and easy to implement especially with young hungry players

I don't buy the 5 subs bit personally, it helped, but wasn't integral to the success.
Now we are playing out from the back there is a lot more space & they physically can't get to press the ball in the same time, which give the opposition time to play their game.
It wasn't pretty under VI, but was certainly more exciting/entertaining & not just because of the results.